Auburn and Korbin stared at her in open disbelief.
Makenna perceived their soundless expression, but she noticed that along with their skepticism, a little of their dignity was repaired. “We are fortunate to have such talent protecting our clan. I must go now, and I doubt I will be able to return any time soon. But I hope to see you again, perhaps during the evening meal in the hall.”
Makenna smiled, waved at the small group, and grabbed the reins to her horse quite pleased with herself. Every man in sight was flabbergasted into silence. She swung onto her horse, and asked Brodie to see her back to Lochlen, knowing that her husband would want to stay.
Colin watched his wife leave with grace and dignity. Never had he felt such pride in a clanswoman, and she was his wife.
Dunlop ordered Auburn and Korbin to go see the midwife to stitch their wounds. The minor cuts Makenna had given them would have healed on their own, but ones they inflicted upon each other were much worse. It would be at least two weeks, maybe longer before they were healed enough to practice again with their group.
Turning around, Dunlop saw an ashen Colin. “Laird? Is something wrong?”
Colin shook his head no, not daring to speak. It wasn’t until Dunlop said the word “midwife” that Colin realized what he had done.
Makenna could be carrying their child unknowingly even now. Since his arrival, he had carried on about how she was wild and reckless with her life. Today, out of pride in wanting to show all her skill, he had needlessly put her and the potential life of his unborn son in danger. How could he have been so senseless?
Never again, Colin vowed. Never again would he allow possible harm to fall upon her.
Chapter Eleven
Makenna leaned against the cool stones framing her chamber window and stared down at the busy people below. Part of her felt obligated to join them; but a larger part knew her health and mind needed this break. Almost two months had passed since that July morning she had sparred with Gorten, and in that time, she had not taken another full day off.
Colin was working equally as hard. Every morning he was in the village handling immediate clansmen’s needs before riding to the training fields for the remainder of the day. Some nights he fell into bed exhausted, too tired to mutter a word, much less summon the energy to make love to her. Makenna would lie down and hug him to her side, content just to have him home and in their bed. His arm would curl around her possessively, reminding her there was more to their relationship than passion.
Today would be her third try at a day off; she and Gannon had established a rotating schedule that gave them both a chance to rest. Guilt had persuaded her to forgo her first break and offer assistance where she knew she could be of help. The second time, an accident in the kitchen with the new baker required her medical attention. Benny was young, but everyone had taken to him immediately. A natural comic, the boy made Makenna laugh whenever she was near him. He was one of the new staff she hoped would stay for years to come.
Makenna let the tapestry fall back into place partially covering the window. She knew exactly what she wanted to do to relax. She donned one of her warmer bliauts and set out to find Brodie to let him know she was ready to leave.
Within the half hour, Makenna and her guard breached Lochlen’s outer walls and cantered toward the River Dye Water. Feeling the air whip through her hair was both invigorating and cathartic.
Makenna knew that much of the strain and stress associated with her position as Lady McTiernay stemmed from Lochlen being so short-staffed and the frequent, intentional sabotages to progress. Despite these setbacks, she was becoming more adept at managing all the work and the people at Lochlen Castle. Though her confidence had grown, she could never see herself truly enjoying the burden of responsibility.
Makenna urged her mount to move into a full gallop and thought about her biggest conundrum of late. Colin.
Although he denied it, Makenna was positive Colin regretted his decision to let her spar with his men. Immediately following her match with the two boys, Colin had seemed happy, almost proud of her abilities. Yet later that night when he returned to Lochlen, his happiness and satisfaction had morphed into something difficult to name. Whatever it was, it continued to haunt his demeanor toward her.
Colin was not angry. He was not disappointed, nor did he exhibit shame. The nights he came home early, he was an amazing lover and willingly conversed about his day. It was when she spoke of her duties and activities that his mood darkened. It mattered not the topic. The crops, the canning, the preparation for winter—each would alter his disposition and result in moody silence. She could not discern what was so alarming about helping Gannon run the keep or manage the harvest.
Feeling the large sorrel-colored steed run at a steady pace, Makenna let go of the reins and spread her arms open, sensing the wind on her face. It felt like years, not months, had zoomed by since she had ridden in this carefree way. Makenna had forgotten how wonderful the sensation was.
She had just closed her eyes when she felt someone yank her off her mount in one powerful swoop.
Landing most uncomfortably, Makenna exclaimed, “Brodie, what the hell!” while twisting to address the man who almost killed them both with such a stupid move.
Colin pulled back his reins and slowed his mount to a slow gait.
“Colin!” Makenna shouted, recognizing her husband. She quickly looked around to see if Brodie was nearby and spied the guard riding opposite their direction to capture her horse. She tried adjusting to a more comfortable position, but Colin’s arm would not budge. “You could have just told me that you wished to talk. There was no need for such dramatics,” she scolded.
Colin refused to speak. He was fully aware that his tightly leashed anger had been spawned from abject fear. But the vision of her riding full-out across the fields with her arms opened wide would haunt his dreams forever. In his vision, the horse stumbled or she became unbalanced. Whatever the cause, the result was always the same—Makenna fell to her death. The idea of her being ripped away from him was unbearable. He would never survive such a loss.
Colin knew he was falling in love, and it frightened him.
Loving Makenna made him vulnerable, in many more ways than he had ever been with Deirdre. Over the past few weeks, he had grown to enjoy their discussions about various clan happenings. She had a different perspective; one he had quickly learned to respect. It was reassuring knowing that even when he was not there, Makenna supported him in both speech and action. And the nights…he never understood what a comfort it could be just to hold someone close as they slept.
Life was good. Love would only disrupt the solitude and peace he had found.
Colin kept silent as he turned the black toward Lochlen.
Makenna watched him in fulminating silence. Colin’s chest and back rippled with tension as he worked the reins of his horse. The one time he did look down at her, the expression in his sapphire eyes was almost unreadable. It seemed to fluctuate between fear and fury. The muscle in the side of his cheek was flexed, accentuating his clenched jaw.
Makenna had no idea why Colin was so angry, but one thing was for certain, when he did finally speak, it would be loud and explosive.
Impatient to discover what had him so mad, Makenna slanted him a questioning glance. “I cannot imagine what has set off this latest crazed action of yours, Colin, but I would like to understand.”